PDP president Mehbooba Mufti Friday alleged a conspiracy being hatched to defer elections in Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary constituency so as to keep her out of Parliament, adding that such a move is fraught with serious consequences. “I appeal both the Election Commission and the NDA Government not to indulge in any misadventure like deferring the elections ten days ahead of polling,” she said. Mufti was referring to the Thursday night communique from the Election Commission of India to J&K’s Chief Electoral Officer and Chief Secretary that some parties have approached it seeking postponement of elections on account of difficulties in campaigning due to the closure of the Mughal Road. Later in the day, National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah too joined the chorus, appealing to the Election Commission not to postpone elections. Speaking to the media alongside the party’s candidate for the Anantnag-Rajouri seat, Mian Altaf Lahrvi, Omar said, “The request has not come from those contesting from the seat. The road is open and even if it does rain, it’s not too difficult to travel on it. We are sending a letter to the ECI with our objections.” He questioned that if the administration can keep the roads to Kargil, Machil, and Gurez open, “then there is no reason why Mughal road cannot be kept open as well, unless the administration joins in conspiracy to manipulate the electoral mandate in this constituency”. The boundaries of the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency were redrawn after delimitation of seats in J&K, extending the traditional Anantnag constituency through the Pir Panjal and into Rajouri and Poonch. The two areas connect through the Mughal Road which remains open seasonally, subject to weather. “We don’t get to choose the boundaries of the constituency that we are fighting. Otherwise, all of us fail to see the logic of this boundary of this particular constituency. That is something that only the delimitation commission can answer for,” Omar said. Official sources said that the Election Commission has sought a detailed report from J&K’s Chief Electoral Officer P K Pole and Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on the condition of road, weather and accessibility constraints and other points mentioned in separate representations filed by three candidates and some political parties. The representation has been filed by BJP’s J&K president Ravinder Raina, J&K Apni Party chief Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, Imran Reza Ansari (People’s Conference), advocate Mohammad Saleen Parray, and Ali Mohammad Wani and Arsheed Ali Lone, both independents. Expressing surprise over the representations, Mufti said that “I have myself come to Poonch from Anantnag via Mughal road” on Thursday. The road, which used to get opened for vehicular traffic in May, has this time been opened since April 8 in view of the ensuing parliamentary elections, she pointed out. Pointing out that the parties seeking postponement of elections are the ones being supported by BJP, the PDP leader said, “The BJP is a rich party and they have money. They can hire a chopper to carry candidates.” “We have been campaigning for the past 20-25 days and our workers are spending out of their own pockets,” she said, adding that “it is not feasible for us (to contest the polls) if you delay it”. The Mughal Road was closed following fresh snowfall on April 13. For the past three days, though, it has been partially opened, sources said. With the reopening of the road, Mufti has become the first politician from Kashmir side to visit Pir Panjal region for campaigning. There are 21 candidates in the fray in Anantnag parliamentary constituency, prominent among them being former minister and prominent Gujjar leader Mian Altaf (National Conference), J&K Apni Party’s Zaffar Manhas, and advocate Mohammad Parray (DPAP). The BJP has not fielded any candidate in the constituency despite speculation that it stood a chance after the NDA government gave Scheduled Tribe status to Pahari ethnic groups inhabiting the border Rajouri and Poonch districts. With DPAP chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad opting out of contest in the parliamentary constituency, many believe BJP may field its candidate if elections in Anantnag are rescheduled.
